Actress Ashley Judd speaks about women's health at George Washington University in Washington on Friday, March 1, 2013. (Jeff Franko, USA TODAY)

Written by

James R. Carroll
jcarroll@courier-journal.com

Actress and activist Ashley Judd surprised the political world Wednesday by announcing she would not challenge U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in Kentucky's Senate race next year.

"After serious and thorough contemplation, I realize that my responsibilities & energy at this time need to be focused on my family," Judd said on her official Twitter account.

Judd had been making moves to become a serious Democratic candidate, talking to Kentucky Democrats and working with consultants on the structure of a campaign. She had been widely viewed as a Democrat who could attract money and star power to ...